<![CDATA[Background. Climate-driven changes in tropical oceans are altering pelagic fish distribution, seasonal availability, and fishing productivity, creating unequal risks for coastal communities that depend heavily on marine resources. Purpose. This study aimed to examine ecological shifts in tropical pelagic fisheries, assess socio-ecological vulnerability, and evaluate the role of adaptive governance in supporting community resilience. Method. A comparative mixed-methods design integrated environmental and fisheries time-series analysis, household vulnerability surveys, participatory fishing-ground mapping, semi-structured interviews, and institutional assessment across selected coastal communities. Results. The findings showed that rising sea-surface temperatures, declining catch per unit effort, longer fishing distances, higher fuel costs, and shifting fishing seasons increased livelihood pressure, although vulnerability differed substantially according to vessel mobility, livelihood diversification, information access, financial capacity, and institutional support. Communities with stronger adaptive governance demonstrated lower vulnerability despite comparable ecological exposure. Short-term responses such as longer trips and additional borrowing sometimes maintained catches while increasing debt, safety risks, and social inequality. Conclusion. The study concludes that climate adaptation in pelagic fisheries should not be judged solely by sustained catch levels. Effective resilience requires integrated ecological monitoring, differentiated vulnerability assessment, flexible fisheries management, livelihood support, participatory decision-making, and equitable governance capable of responding proactively to increasingly mobile marine resources under climate change.]]>
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